Six-time Premier League winner Rio Ferdinand has claimed he is worried about Arsenal's title hopes amid Gabriel Jesus' injury keeping him out of action until at least February. The striker sustained the injury to his right knee whilst away at the World Cup and has since undergone surgery.
The Gunners are currently top of the table after winning 12 of their opening 14 games, losing only once. Mikel Arteta's side are five points clear of reigning champions Manchester City and will be hoping for a first league win since 2004 under Arsene Wenger.
However, Jesus' absence could hinder their chances of glory in May after the striker played a starring role in his first four months at the club. After joining Arsenal alongside Oleksandr Zinchenko from City, Jesus scored five and assisted a further seven in 20 games.
READ MORE: What Eddie Nketiah has done to prove to Mikel Arteta that Arsenal can cope without Gabriel Jesus
Arsenal have been linked with a new striker ahead of the January transfer window. PSV star Cody Gakpo has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium while interest in Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic has been re-ignited. Currently, only Eddie Nketiah is available for selection as a natural striker and Ferdinand has voiced his concerns on the Gunners' title chances.
"I'm worrying for Arsenal after we go back!" he told his FIVE YouTube show.
"I'm just saying. Just because of Jesus, that's all I'm worried about."
For the Boxing Day fixture, it's likely that Nketiah will be deployed by Arteta after earning the trust of the Spaniard last season. Following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's departure to Barcelona, Nketiah led the line for Arsenal and scored vital goals against Chelsea and Leeds.
The striker signed a five-year deal in the summer but has found himself down Arteta's pecking order due to Jesus' presence. However, the next few months presents a chance for the 23-year-old with an opportunity to impress.
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